Foothold

A secure position or advantage from which further progress can be made. It represents a place, platform, or level of understanding that allows one to establish a presence, influence, or advance in a particular situation. It can be literal, like a physical grip on a rock face, or metaphorical, like a starting point for a business. The strength of a foothold determines the ease with which further gains are achieved, impacting success, influence, or growth. A good foothold provides stability, a base of support and can be both tangible and intangible, relating to aspects like resources, position, reputation or knowledge. It serves as a critical foundation for success and development in nearly every area of life.

Foothold meaning with examples

• The mountain climber carefully searched for a secure foothold on the icy cliff face before taking another step. Without it, she would risk falling and losing the entire climb. Her experience aided in finding the small cracks and crevices in the rock. This small area of support was crucial to gaining altitude.
• After years of research, the company finally gained a foothold in the competitive market by focusing on a niche market. The team worked hard building relationships and creating quality products to establish themselves and take the competition down. This allowed the business to gain market share and create brand loyalty.
• The new student struggled to gain a foothold in the class; the complex material was difficult to grasp. The student’s struggles led them to find new ways to learn the class materials. The more that he/she studied the course material, the more things started to make sense. It was a challenge, but slowly understanding began to grow.
• The political party needed to establish a foothold in the region to secure its voter base. To achieve this, they started an outreach program by visiting neighborhoods, attending local events, and focusing on creating strong connections in order to gain traction with voters. The plan was a success, and votes increased rapidly.